This Week in Texas Methodist History June 21

Debate Over Pacifism in Southwestern Christian Advocate, June 1940

Although not known as one of the historic peace churches, Methodism has had a significant number of pacifists, and in its official statements passed at several General Conferences,  conscientious objection has been listed as an acceptable option for Methodists when confronted by possible participation in war. 

Congress made provisions for conscientious objection during World War I, and more Methodists than Quakers and other historic peace  groups claimed the status.  Of course there were far more Methodists than members of the historic peace churches. 

The horror of World War I created a surge in conscientious objection.   The use of modern machinery of destruction had created death of on a scale not seen before and produced revulsion at the carnage. Some Christians promised never to let something this horrible happen again.  The Nye Committee (1934-1936), convened by Senator Gerald Nye of North Dakota, created even more of an anti-war sentiment by detailing the war profiteering U. S. banks and munitions companies during World War I, most notably the Dupont Corporation. 

Germany’s invasion of Poland created a crisis for pacifists.  Unlike World War I, in 1939 there was a clear aggressor and Chamberlain’s sad defense of appeasement made pacifists seem unrealistic. 

In June 1940 Bishop John M. Moore, interim editor of the Southwestern Christian Advocate, published an editorial in which he excoriated isolationists and pacifists.  Here is some of the editorial. 

In this country we have three classes of citizens.  First there are those who continually cry “Stay out of the war.’  It is their fight.  It is none of their business.”   These are Hitler’s friends and allies, whether of their own purpose or not. Second, those who say, “my conscience would not allow me to endorse war of any kind, war is a sin.  I am a pacifist.   These also are Hitler’s friends and allies.  Whatever their intentions. 

As one would expect, Moore’s editorial brought letters from his readership in reply. 

Two Southwest Texas Conference pastors,  A. W. Munk of Waelder and H. M. Ratliff of Jourdanton-Christine protested most vigorously at the idea of being called Hitler’s allies because of their pacifist beliefs. 

Mrs. Ratliff also signed the letter. 

In his reply, Bishop Moore did walk back his use of the word “allies”: , but stuck to his guns about every isolationist and conscientious objector helping Hitler.   He used the traditional arguments such as the New Testament scriptures “I do not come to bring peace, but a sword.”: and use of the lash in the cleansing of the Temple.  Moore also uses a patronizing tone along the lines of “you young men. . .”

Moore was well acquainted with Germany—he had done graduate study in theology in Germany.